The Juniper Hairstreak, also known as the Olive Hairstreak or Olive Juniper Hairstreak, is a small butterfly which is dark brown or green, with lighter rust-colored patches. The hindwings beneath are green, with two white marks near the base, along with a white line edged inwardly with reddish brown.

 

“Juniper Hairstreak” by Ronnie Pitman, licensed under (CC BY-NC 2.0)

 

Juniper Hairstreak Facts

Butterfly Family: Gossamer-Winged (Lycaenidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Theclinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 – 1 1/4 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Old fields, bluffs, barrens, juniper and pinyon-juniper woodlands, and cedar breaks

 

Juniper Hairstreak Host and Nectar Plants

Host Plants:

• Red Cedar

Nectar Plants:

• Dogbane
• Winter Cress
• Wild Carrot
• Butterfly Weed
• Shepherd’s Needle
• Common Milkweed
• White Sweet Clover
• Rattlesnake Master
• Ox-eye Daisy
• Chokecherry
• Lanceleaf Gumweed